Films, TV Series & Radio Broadcasts 1961 – 1971

(1958, 59 &1960 Diaries missing)

Bert Weedon, Ron Prentice, Tony Meghan on the set of the Associated-Rediffusion TV “Tuesday Rendezvous” programme.

The following information has been gleaned from my working diaries of the period.

However an explanation of the way freelance session musicians were booked may help to understand why some of the information given is rather minimal.

It was unusual for a record company, film production company or BBC producer to offer the work directly to a musician. It was always done through a middle man, known as a contractor or ‘fixer’. The record company would phone a contractor (let’s call him Charlie), who would then phone to ask if you were available to do a session at Decca on a certain date and time. If you were, you would be told what instrument to bring i.e. double bass, bass guitar or acoustic bass guitar. If you were not available Charlie would say ‘never mind, better luck next time!’ At the end of the session, Charlie would arrive with your fee in a little envelope which you would sign for.

Record sessions were either booked for two hours (half session) or three hours (full session) and paid accordingly. Film music recordings were usually in groups of 3 hour sessions. TV broadcasts comprised a pre-rehearsal of 2 hours plus a 4 hour rehearsal on the day of the show which was then either broadcast live or recorded for later transmission.

Film sessions were also booked and paid for by a contractor. However some were paid for by the production accountant at the studio. In this instance you would know the name of the production company and usually the title of the film. If a contractor paid you, it was unlikely that you would be aware of either the company or name of the film.

Hence in the following lists of information a large number of production companies and film names are given as ‘unknown’.

BBC radio broadcasts were either booked by a contractor or directly through the bandleader concerned. When offered, deputy work with the BBC Staff Orchestras was booked directly by the BBC.

Radio shows and Television shows were often booked as a series. A short series was 6 shows and a normal series was 12 shows. In long running radio shows series would merge together to form a continuous run of broadcasts (as in the case of &lsquo;Go Man Go&rsquo; which ran continuously for more than three years and &lsquo;Saturday Club&rsquo; which ran from 1960 through 1966).

1957 The Terry Kennedy 'Rock 'n Rollers'. My first professional engagement was with this band touring the variety theatres with comedian Max Wall.

1971 Resigned from the Bert Hayes Band due to opening Violin Making workshop at The Grangeway, Winchmore Hill, London. N21.

Radio Broadcasts

1960 – 1962 ‘Go Man Go’ a BBC Live Pop Music show once weekly 12.00 – 1.00pm. Featured David Ede and the Oscar Rabin Band and singers. (In addition the band performed 4 nights weekly for dancing at Wimbledon Palais).

1960 – 64 Numerous series with bands led by guitarist Judd Proctor i.e. The Plainsmen, quintet, etc. Judd had been a member of the Ray Ellington Quartet on the Goon Show.

1960 – 66 BBC Saturday Club with resident accompanying band Arthur Greenslade and the Gee Men. Over the years we played for ALL of the top British and American Pop Stars appearing on BBC Radio.

1962 Commencing January 62 several series of ‘Linger-a-while’ shows featuring Arthur Greenslade and his Band. Arthur had been the pianist with the Rabin Band. Later became Musical Director to Shirley Bassey, then MD on All Australian Television.

Radio Luxembourg short series with Tony Hatch and Jackie Trent.

Series on BBC ‘Folk Room’ with Carter-Lewis and the Southerners.

1963 BBC Series ‘ London Town’ md Les Reed (former pianist in the John Barry Seven). Our job was to accompany guest artists and play featured band numbers. On one show The Beatles appeared very early in their career and we had to do additional backing for them. George Harrison’s guitar looked unusual and when I asked about it, he told me that his father had made it for him.

1963-64 ‘Music While You Work’ A long running programme of continuous music directed at people working in factories etc. Various bands including; Nat Temple & his Band, Harry Gold & his Pieces of Eight, the George Birch Quintet and ‘Society’ band Claude Cavelloti. It was live 45 minutes of segue music without a rehearsal, just a 15 min. top and tailing of a couple of numbers for a sound balance.

1964 Several series with Johnny Arthey & his Band. i.e. ‘Sounds of ‘64’ and ‘Stringsound’ etc.

1964-65 Series BBC ‘Roundabout’ live at 5 pm. Judd Solo and the Italiano Quartetto.

1962 Following the success of ‘I Remember You’ by Frank Ifield on which I played, Frank booked the rhythm section from the recording to accompany him on a Sunday tour of Theatres during the summer of 62.

1963 April for three weeks. One man show with Maurice Chevalier at the Saville Theatre, London. Piano, bass & drums on stage.